“Just as a great play is, so too is great literature nothing other than a monologue.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
- He became a representative figure of postwar Japanese literature, and was highly acclaimed both at home and abroad. He pursued his own unique aesthetic with themes of beauty and death, and ultimately committed seppuku at a Self-Defense Forces garrison. His life, which combined literature with action, continues to have a strong influence today.
Japanese
「偉大な戯曲がそうであるように、偉大な文学も亦、独白に他ならぬ」
English
“Just as a great play is, so too is great literature nothing other than a monologue.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima compares great literature to a monologue, suggesting that the most profound works of literature, like great theatrical performances, are essentially an intimate expression of an individual’s inner world. Just as a monologue reveals the deep thoughts, emotions, and conflicts of a character, great literature allows the reader to access the inner turmoil or reflections of the author or the protagonist. For Mishima, literature transcends mere storytelling; it is a direct engagement with the self, an opportunity for self-expression that mirrors the isolated, personal nature of a monologue, where one speaks their mind and reveals their most private concerns and desires.
This quote reflects Mishima’s belief in the power of personal expression in literature. He often viewed writing as a means of confronting existential struggles, as authors project their deepest inner conflicts onto the page. In his view, great works of literature are more than just narratives or dialogue between characters—they are, at their core, monologues that represent a direct confrontation with one’s own thoughts, fears, and desires. Mishima’s admiration for monologue as a form emphasizes the unfiltered, raw nature of great writing, where the author, much like a solitary speaker in a play, expresses their true self without external interference.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the way literature today can still serve as a direct channel to the author’s inner world. In an age of social media and public discourse, literature remains a private space for authors to engage in self-reflection and introspection, offering readers a chance to connect with the inner voice of the writer. Mishima’s comparison of literature to a monologue also invites readers to consider the authenticity of what is shared in writing, where the absence of dialogue or interaction with other voices allows for a pure, uninterrupted expression of individual thought. Great literature, like a powerful monologue, provides a unique glimpse into the author’s soul, unfiltered and unmediated by the noise of the outside world.
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